Michael McColgan

Dip 22 - ☀️ Happy Solstice & Bon Voyage! 🛫

Monday 22nd Dec The winter solstice is our family's day of holiday celebration as we welcome the coming of bright days ahead! ☀️ Usually we spend the day like most families spend Christmas. A leisurely morning opening a few presents and spending time together as a family enjoying tasty food. Then we like to go for an outing in nature, and getting a dip in has typically been a part of that tradition. Unfortunately, this solstice was a hectic day of packing and running errands as we leave tomorrow morning for the United States. Still, even amongst all the chaos, I managed to get in a quick dip to celebrate the day and bid farewell to our beloved West Cork as we will be gone for a couple weeks. I spent a moment in the water feeling into the gratitude I have for our life here and the beauty that we are surrounded by. Growing up in Minnesota I was blessed with ample opportunities to get into lakes, but there is a unique beauty that comes with being in the ocean. So long for now! ✈️♥️ Share

Dip 21 - The Return of The Badger Sauna

Saturday 20th Dec Sarah and Seb of “The Badger Sauna” were set up at Ellen’s Rock this evening, and the Hearty Hulks couldn’t resist the opportunity for another session with them. We started with a cold swim, and then got into their luxurious sauna, which they have impressively converted from a horse box. Sarah treated us once again to whisking of birch branches and offered us her signature salt and juniper body scrub. We went in and out of the ocean a number of times as the sun went down, and for our final dip before departure, the stars were out and there was bioluminescence in the water. Pure. Magic. 💫 As this will most likely be the last time I swim with the Hearty Hulk lads before the new year, it was a bitter sweet send off. 🥹 I’m so grateful they invited me on this journey of fundraising and friendship! 🥰 Share

Dip 21 - The Return of The Badger Sauna

Saturday 20th Dec The lads warming up after a cold swim. Share

Dip 21 - The Return of The Badger Sauna

Saturday 20th Dec Sauna sunset at water's edge. Share

Dip 20 - Better Than A Cup Of Coffee

Friday 19th Dec After being out till bar close filling our donation bucket, I was having trouble rubbing the sleep from my eyes this morning. I had my usual cup of coffee in an attempt to get my engine started, but it hardly made a difference. 🥱 I wasn’t looking forward to another morning dip, but since I had to take Orion in for his last day of school before the holidays, I figured I should go anyway. Well, I’m glad I did. The freezing water evaporated all sleepiness immediately as my body screamed with every fibre of its being. 🫨 Better than a cup of coffee and just the jolt I needed to start my day! ☕🤪 Share

No Dips, Just Sips 🍻

Friday 19th Dec Outfitted with a donation bucket and a towel around my neck, we made the rounds last night in the pubs of Bantry. The donations started off slow as most of the pubs were fairly quiet, but we picked up steam as the night went on and ended the evening with €323.45 in the bucket! 🤑 It was nice to have some pints, chat with the lads, and hangout in a warm pub rather than shivering on a pier. 😅 Great craic all around! Fundraising is hard work, but hey, somebody’s got to do it. 😋🍻 Share

Dip 19 - ⚡ A Storm’s A Brewing ⚡

Thursday 18th Dec I woke to the sound of thunder this morning, but was not deterred. I met the Hearty Hulks at the pier as we saw rain coming in over the ocean. We got in for the usual freezing splash about and were just getting out when we saw lightning flash and heard the clap of thunder. It was probably from all the static electricity of this group of lads. 😘 Whatever the cause, we had a great turn out and the lighting added a great atmospheric effect. 😅⛈️ Share

Dip 19 - ⚡ A Storm’s A Brewing ⚡

Thursday 18th Dec Share

Dip 19 - ⚡ A Storm’s A Brewing ⚡

Thursday 18th Dec *ominous clouds* Share

Dip 18 - The Greatest Cheering Squad

Wednesday 17th Dec Since Orion didn’t have preschool this morning, I brought him with me to meet the lads and see what his crazy Dad has been up to. He had a big smile on his face as we hooted and hollered swimming about in the frigid sea. I asked him if he wanted to do it someday and he paused for a long moment... before saying no. 😅 Share

Dip 17 - Pier Pressure

Tuesday 16th Dec We woke up to heavy frost this morning, and it really took the wind out of my sails for getting in the water. Perhaps the least motivated I’ve been yet! 😆 But I made out for the morning group dip and the lads made it much more doable. Nothing like a bit of pier pressure! 🤣 It was a great turn out too, with 9 of the Hearty Hulks in attendance! 💪🏻 Share

Dip 16 - Keeping With The Fresh Water Theme

Monday 15th Dec It was the holiday party for the Glengarriff toddler group this morning, so I missed the morning “plop” with the lads in the ocean. As such, I took the opportunity to continue with the fresh water theme from yesterday and visit Pooleen, one of my favorite river swim spots in West Cork. It was FREEZING, but the mountain water was so refreshing and the falls were roaring! Plus, I got my bath in for the day. 🛀😜 Share

Dip 15 - Fresh Water Freshen Up

Sunday 14th Dec I’ve been doing most of my dips in the ocean, so today I decided to switch things up with a fresh water freshen up! We got pounded with rain last night, so this waterfall spot near our home was absolutely gushing. 💦 I love fresh water dips as you really do feel clean without the saltiness of the ocean, but the water is typically colder so it takes your breath away even more! 😲😅 Share

Dip 15 - Fresh Water Freshen Up

Sunday 14th Dec Spiritual shower.  Share

Dip 14 - The Balmy Barrel Sauna

Saturday 13th Dec The Hearty Hulks in full force today! 🙌🏼 Share

Dip 14 - The Balmy Barrel Sauna

Saturday 13th Dec Started the morning by taking Orion to the Glengarriff Park Run, then joined the lads for a luxurious sauna swim combo courtesy of Donie and his Balmy Barrel Sauna. The Hearty Hulks swarmed this meet up! 🐝 Great dips, great sauna, great craic! Oh, and great group pics courtesy of yours truly. 📸😋 Share

Dip 13 - 🎶 Don’t stop me now… 🎶

Saturday 13th Dec Now I'm just doing it for the craic! 😜 Share

Dip 12 - Mission Accomplished ✅

Thursday 11th Dec Share

Dip 12 - Mission Accomplished ✅

Thursday 11th Dec Today was the day. Dip 12 in the bag, and “The 12 Dips in December” complete. To top it off I even stayed in for 12 minutes! 🥶 It took me about 45 minutes to stop shaking, but it felt good to finish what I set out to, and we had a great turn out as our Hearty Hulks crew was nine deep! 💪🏻👏🏻 So is that it? Mission accomplished, sayonara, happy holidays? Nah, I’m enjoying it too much to stop now. Let’s see how far I can ride this wave, what do you say? 😉 Share

Dip 11 - Some Days Are Like Washing The Dishes

Wednesday 10th Dec Some days getting my swim in is like doing the dishes, I don’t want to do it, but after I do, I’m always glad I did. (We don’t have a dishwasher) Today was one of those days. Orion had a high fever throughout the night, and none of us got much sleep. We kept him home from school, and I stayed home with him. The last thing I felt like doing that afternoon was getting into the icy sea, especially at low tide, but I got in the car, drove to the ocean, dove in, and made it happen. And I felt great afterwards! I guess it’s a good lesson on how we need to make time for things that we know improve our mental health, even when we don’t feel like doing them. It’s always worth it. And, the next time you’re staring at a pile of dirty dishes, just wash them and be done with it, you’ll be glad you did. 😅😉 Share

Dip 10 - Ellen's Rock (ing it)

Wednesday 10th Dec It was a wild morning with high winds and strong rain from storm Bram passing through, so I decided to skip the usual morning time slot with the lads and opted for a dip in the evening after picking Orion up from crèche. I went to Ellen's Rock, which has a sheltered slip way and is closer to home. It was cold but refreshing, and I was excited to hit the double digits for my dip count! 🚀🙌🏼 Share

Dip 9 - Sauna, Spa, & Dips @ Lough Allua

Tuesday 9th Dec After our first sauna dip combo provided by Sarah Goyvaerts and Seb Beukers of “The Badger Sauna,” we couldn’t help but come back for more! This time we joined them at their “home” location on Lough Allua, and I was expecting the sauna experience, but Sarah spoiled us with so much more. We started with a salt and juniper body scrub, did full body bog mud masks, enjoyed aromatherapy, and got whisked with oak and birch branches! 💆🏼🫠 Having this in-between two swims in Lough Allua made the frigid water (which was colder than the ocean!) all the more pleasant. 😁 If only all the dips could be like this. 😅 Share

Dip 9 - Sauna, Spa, & Dips @ Lough Allua

Tuesday 9th Dec Ronan, Jay, and I on the shore of Lough Allua Share

Dip 8 - A Case of the Mondays

Tuesday 9th Dec Joined the lads for a Monday morning dip. I wasn't looking forward to it, but it definitely jump started my week! 🥱➡️🥶➡️🤪 Share

Dip 8 - Cannon Ball!

Tuesday 9th Dec Tom absolutely sending it!  Share

Dip 7 - Flippin' Gorgeous

Sunday 7th Dec Had a “family friendly” dip this evening as Maggie, Orion, and I met my fellow Hearty Hulks friend Ronan and his family at the pier. I decided to up the ante, by busting out ye old backflip, and we were spoiled with a gorgeous sunset to boot! 🤸🏻🌅 Share

Dip 6 - Solo Snave

Saturday 6th Dec Share

Dip 6 - Solo Snave

Saturday 6th Dec Today was a bit tougher to get motivated for, I’ll be honest. 😒 Maggie, Orion, and I did the Glengarriff Park Run 5km in the morning, so I missed the Hearty Hulks group plunge time, and going solo is always less enticing. But I figured it’s better to stick to daily dunks otherwise it’s just too easy to fall into the “not today” routine, so I forced myself into action and it felt great! With 6 dips down, I’m halfway through the 12 dip challenge already! 💪🏻 Share

Dip 5 - Fire & Ice

Friday 5th Dec Today we dipped with ultimate luxury… a mobile sauna parked at the pier! Our teammate Pete arranged it with his friends and it took the ice cold plunge experience to a whole new level! 🥶➡🥵➡🥶 Maggie even joined in the fun! ❤️ Going in and out of the water 4 times over the course of an hour and half was divine when paired with the heat. 🏊🏻‍♂️ T’was a wild one though, as waves were crashing over the pier so hard that we ended up moving the sauna up and out of the splash zone! 🌊  Share

Dip 5 - Fire & Ice

Friday 5th Dec Horse trailer converter to sauna with stained glass windows! 🔥 Share

Dip 4 - Books & Bantry Bay

Thursday 4th Dec I switched dip spots today so that I could join Orion's Montessori class at the public library. 📚 Story time followed by swim time was quite the combo! The sun was shining but the wind was brutal. 😳 They say misery loves company, so Ciaran joined me too! 😜 Share

Dip 3 - Dive In!

Wednesday 3rd Dec Share

Dip 3 - In The Swing

Wednesday 3rd Dec Great turn out today, the crew was strong! 💪🏼 It rained on us for a few minutes, but it was another gorgeous day otherwise. I tried playing around with underwater photography, but I think my eyes regret it! 😝  Share

Dip 3

Wednesday 3rd Dec Share

Dip 2 - Don't Let The Blue Skies Deceive You

Tuesday 2nd Dec Well it was another gorgeous morning today for dip number 2! ☀️ The sun was shining and yet the water felt much colder than the day before. 🤪 I’m enjoying the camaraderie of the lads and the chats and laughs before and after each plunge. Let the good times roll. 😁 Share

S.W.A.G. arrived today 📬

Tuesday 2nd Dec Check the beanie 😏🎩 Share

1 Dip Down, 11 To Go

Monday 1st Dec December 1st and we are in the water! The spirits were high this morning as the water was calm and it wasn't even raining, what luxury! I’m currently recovering from a nasty chest cold, but I figure what better way to beat the sickness than getting into freezing water. 😅 Onwards and upwards! Share

First Dip In The Books

Thursday 27th Nov Although it's still November, the lads and I took the opportunity to get a jump start on the cold water. It felt good to get in! Even though it was cold AF, it was so refreshing, and was a great kickstart to my morning. It was a fantastic way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and I'm already looking forward to the next one! 😅 Share